Metal can top manufacture



April 7, 1959 A. s. HIGGIN 2,880,686

METAL CAN ToP MANUFACTURE Filed April 14, 1955 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJmmm ALBERT S. HIGGIN ATTORNEYS fApril 7, 1959 A. s. H|GG|N 2,880,686

,METAL CAN TOP MANUFACTURE Filed April 14, 1955 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 |251N VEN TOR.

ALBERT s. HlGGlN ATTORNEYS April 7, 1959 Afs. HIGGIN l 2,880,686

METAL CAN TOP MANUFACTURE y Filed April 14, 1955 e sheetb-Sheet s 56m luy/ INVENTOR. ALBERT S. HIGGIN ATTORNEYS April 7,l 1959 A. s. HIGGIN2,880,686

METAL CAN TOP MANUFACTURE Filed April 14, 1955 I 6 Sheets-Sheet; 4

INVENTOR. ALBERT S. HIGGIN BY g/ww ATTORN EYS FIG. lO

April 7, 1959 A. s. HlGGlN METAL CAN TOP MANUFACTURE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed April 14, 1955 ATTORNEYS April 7, 1959 A. s. HIGGIN l 2,880,686

y METAL CAN TOP MANUFACTURE Filed April 14, 1955 es sheets-smet eINVENTOR.

ALBERT S. HIGGIN N .E AIT. www mmm www Sm QN ATTORN EYS :Eg: a am m @MNwww RN Al lm EN METAL 4CAN TOP MANUFACTURE Albert S. Higgin, Nashville,Tenn., assignor, by mesne assignments, to American Home ProductsCorporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Application April14, 1955, Serial No. 501,341 14 Claims. (Cl. 113-121) My inventionrelates to the construction and method of forming metal can tops andmore specically to a construction and method of forming a can top ofrelatively light 4gauge metal having an opening for a closure therefor,which closure is completely recessed below the edge portions of the cantop.

Various constructions of prior metal cans have been provided withopenings in the tops thereof for reception of closures to retain thecontents of the can therein. Further, various constructions of can topsand closures therefor have been provided which form a sufficiently tightseal between the can top and the closure to retain material having arelatively high specific gravity in the can, even though the can-containing the material is laid on its side or turned completely upsidedown.

These prior can top and closure combinations fall in three generalclassifications, that is, those having threads formed around the`opening in the can top with a metal or plastic closure threadablyreceived over the opening and engaged with the threads; those providedwith an outwardly extending ridge circumferentially surrounding theopening in the can top with a metal or plastic closure received over theridge and with means on the closure for engaging the ridge; and thoseprovided with a shoulder around the can top opening with a at metal lidbeing received therein and retained therein by means of a press tit.

The trst two classes of can top and closure combinations, that is, thosewith threads and those with outwardly projecting ridges formed on thecan top, have usually required that the can top be necked upwardly, withthe portion of the top containing the opening being spaced a distanceabove the edge portions of the top and the top edge of the can sidewalls. A major difficulty with such a can top construction is that cansprovided with these upwardly necked tops cannot be conveniently stackedone above the other in shipping cartons or on store shelves, thusrequiring larger cartons for transportation of these cans and alsorequiring a greater storage space for a given number of cans.

It is therefore highly desirable that cans not only be provided with atop having a tight and secure closure for covering the opening in thecan top, but also a can top which permits stacking of the various cans,one above the other. This stacking feature not only provides advantagesas to size of carton required to enclose and ship a given number of cansand as to the amount of space required for storage, but also from thestandpoint that cans having a can top which permits stacking of thecans, one above the other, renders it easier to use a stack of cans on astore counter or floor for display purposes in advertising the productcontained therein.

There have been certain prior constructions of can tops which permitstacking. One of these constructions includes a can top which is neckedupwardly with that portion containing the opening located above the edgeportions of the can top, as described above, and with either a threadedor clincher type closure therefor. In addition,

4United States Patent O l 2,880,686 Patented Apr. 7, 1959 the bottoms ofthese cans are recessed upwardly in lthe shape of an upright cone whichis of slightly larger dimensions than the necked top and closure toreceive the necked top of the can next below in the stack.

Thus, with this prior necked top construction, one can may be stackedabove another and the necked top of the lower can will be received inthe recess formed in the bottom of the upper can. Although this type ofcan provides the stacking feature, it is expensive to manufacture forthe reason that both the top and bottom are formed with an irregularcontour, that is, not at. A further ditculty is that this constructionof can still requires somewhat more storage space and shipping cartonspace than can having at tops for a given number of cans, since theuppermost can still has an upwardly extending necked toprequiring'addition'al storage or carton height.

Another prior stacking can construction in the third class outlinedabove, is one provided with a shoulder around the can top opening with aat metal lid received in the can top opening and retained therein by apress lit. The lid for this can construction, when in place in the cantop opening, is usually recessed below the outer edges of the can topand the side walls of the can, so that these cans may be convenientlystacked one above the other. 1

One of the difficulties with this type of construction is that the lidsor closures are diicult to remove since they are not only recessed belowthe outer edges of the can top but also are retained therein by a pressit due to the cornpression of the lid against the edge of the can topopening. lt is therefore usually necessary to use a tool, such as ascrew driver, in order to remove these lids. Further, after the lids areonce removed, they are frequently improperly replaced so that the can isnot completely closed, since it requires considerable pressure toproperly seat these lids in place within the can top opening.

1f the lid or closure for the can top is improperly replaced, there isalways presented the danger of accidentally tipping the can over,thereby spilling the contents thereof. This accidental spilling maycause considerable damage, particularly if lthe material contained. inthe can is of a composition that will stain licor coverings or iscorrosive in nature.

A further consideration is, if the can lid or clos'u're is improperlyreplaced so that the can is no longer airtight, that constant exposureto the air surrounding the can may cause deterioration to the contentsof the can. This is particularly true if the can contains materials suchas toilet bowl cleaners. If these materials are exposed constantly toair, they will in many cases not only absorb moisture from the outsideair causing them to cake, but also with the addition of such moisture,they may become highly corrosive and eventually completely deterioratethe can.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide aconstruction and method of making metal can tops which overcome theabove-state difficulties in the prior constructions.

It is a primary object of the present invention to prvide a constructionand method of making metal can tops in which the can top opening withthe closure positioned thereon is recessed below the outer portions ofthe can top and the top edges of the sides of the can, 'so that the cansmay be stacked.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide aconstruction and method of making metal can tops in which the can topmay be provided with a lid or closure which is easily removable by handwithout the use of tools.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a constructionand method of making metal can tops which can top retains an easilyremovable lid or closure thereon ard relatively thin gauge metal can bythe usual seamforming operation used in the can industry.

It is an additional object of the present invention to 4provide aconstruction and method of making metal can tops, which can top retainsan easily removable lid thereon, which lid may be easily replacedthereon, after havfing been removed one or more times, in a secure andair- .tight manner with little care being required to properly replacesuch lid or closure.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newmethod of forming a small-diameter `neck provided with an outwardlyoverhanging beaded `extremity terminating in an inturned flangecentrally of -a light gauge sheet metal can top, which top also is-formed with a chime flange at its periphery, and with v the axiallength of the neck less than the distance between the bottom surface ofthe can top and the top surface of the chime flange, the light gaugesheet metal being of the order of .012 in thickness, the can top chimeflange diameter being approximately 3.238", and the outer neck diameterbeing approximately 1.0625" in diameter with a beaded extremityapproximately 1.076l in diameter;

v.and to provide a new can top having the stated charactteristics.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to pro- .vide aconstruction and method of making metal can tops, which can top providesall of the above enumerated advantages, but may be made from the usualrelatively thin gauge metal from which standard can tops are made, andwhich can top may be made in a minimum of operations.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions,arrangements, combinations, subcompanying drawings, and which areparticularly and vdistinctly pointed out and set forth in the appendedclaims forming a part hereof.

The construction of can top comprising one aspect of the presentinvention may be stated generally as including in a sheet metal can top,a preferably downwardly opening preferably U-shaped annular edge portionor chime flange; a generally horizontally extending .substantially flatannular center portion positioned at a height spaced below the plane ofthe edge portion and having a circular hole formed centrally therein;there being an upwardly opening downwardly concave annular recess formedbetween the edge and center portions preferably having an annularupwardly generally vertically extending wall or neck terminatingupwardly at a plane spaced below the plane of the edge portion andintegrally connected to the center portion, the recess also having anannular generally horizontal substantially at bottom wall spaceddownwardly from the center por` tion integrally connected to the neckwall and extending outwardly thereof, the recess also having an annularupwardly extending arcuate concave wall integrally connected to the flatbottom wall extending outwardly and preferably terminating outwardly ina generally horizontal substantially flat portion integrally connectedto the edge portion; and said recess vertical neck wall having anannular outwardly extending closure engagement ridge or bead formedtherein spaced upwardly from the l recess flat bottom wall andpreferably downwardly the center portion.

The method comprising another aspect of the present invention may bestated generally as including the steps of forming a first operationpart by the stages of first blanking a circular blank from flat lightgauge metal, preferably tin plate or black plate of the order of 0.012"thick; then forming an annular recess in the blank intermediate thecenter portion and `outer edge portion thereof preferably having anupwardly extending arcuate concave annular wall extending outwardly andan upwardly angled substantially flat annular wall extending inwardly;forming an annular arcuate convex outer edge portion outwardly adjacentthe recess and terminating in a downwardly curled lip portion at theouter circumference of the blank as the recess is being formed; formingan annular preferably flat generally horizontal center portion inwardlyadjacentthe recess preferably. in the plane of the edge portion as therecess isbeing formed; forming a circular hole centrally of the centerportion; and forming said hole while said recess, edge portio and centerportion are being formed.

The improved method also includes the further steps of working the rstoperation part to form a second operation part by the stages of formingthe rst operation part edge portion into a downwardly opening generallyU-shaped annular chime ange edge portion; at the same time forming thefirst operation part recess into an annular recess terminating inwardlyin an annular upwardly generally vertically extending neck wallprojecting upwardly .to a plane spaced below the planel of the edgeportion; at the ysame 'time forming said recess with v,an annulargenerally horizontalA substantially flat wall extending outwardly fromsaid vertical neck wall, with an annular upwardly extending concave wallbetween said flat wall and the edge portion, and with the concave wallterminating outwardly in an annular generally horizontal substantiallyat portion inwardly adjacent and connected to said edge portion; and atthe same time forming the rst operation center portion into an annulargenerally horizontal substantially at center portion at the upper end ofsaid neck wall located in a plane below the plane of the edge portion;forming a circular hole larger than the first operation circular holecentrally of the center portion; and forming said larger hole during theformation of said edge portion, recess and center portion to permitmetal to be drawn from the flat first operation part center portion informing the neck.

The improved method also includes the further steps of positioning theneck wall of the second operation part within an outwardlycircumferentially recessed cavity of a rotatable die, and rolling theextremity of the neck wall within the die cavity to expand the diameterthereof, thereby forming a radially outwardly extending arcuate closureengagement ridge or bead at the extremity of the neck wall spaced fromthe flat recessed wall portion of the second operation part.

By way of example, embodiments of improved apparatus for carrying outthe improved method of making the improved metal can tops of the presentinvention, and the resulting metal can top construction, are illustratedin the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein likenumerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views and inwhich:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the can top blank made by the method of thepresent invention after the rst operation;

Fig. 2, a side sectional view of the can top blank of Fig. 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows 2-2 in Fig. 1; y

Fig. 3, a similar View to Fig. 2 of the can top blank further formed bya second operation;

Fig. 4, a similar view to Fig. 2 of the improved finished from ,can topof the invention after forming by a third opera,-

5 L tion, with a plastic closure positioned in place over the topopening;

Fig. 5, an ,enlarged fragmentary view of the top center opening portionof the nished top of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6, a fragmentary side elevation, part in section, of a can havingthe can top construction of the present invention assembled thereon;

Fig. 7, a side elevation, part in section, of two cans having the cantop construction of the present invention, with the cans in stackedposition;

Fig. 8, an axial vertical section, part in elevation, of the dieassembly for performing the rst operation to make the part shown inFigs. l and 2;

Fig. 9, a fragmentary axial vertical section, part in elevation, lookingin the direction of the arrows 9-9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10, an axial vertical section, part in elevation, of the dieassembly for performing the second operation to make the part shown inFig. 3;

Fig. 11, a top plan view of the apparatus for performing the thirdoperation to make the part shown in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 12, a side vertical longitudinal section, part in elevation,looking in the direction of the arrows 12--12 in- Fig. 1l;

Fig. 13, a side fragmentary vertical lateral section, part in elevation,looking in the direction of the arrows 13-13 in Fig. l2;

Fig. 14, a top plan View of the beading die looking in the direction ofthe arrows 14-14 in Fig. 12, with the can top part removed; and

Fig. 15, an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the beading die androller taken from Fig. 12, with the third operation being performed tomake the part shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The can top construction constituting a part of the present invention isillustrated in Figs. 1 through 7. Figs. l and 2 show the can top afterthe first operation, Fig. 3 the can top after the second operation,Figs. 4 and 5 the can top after the third and nal top forming operation,Fig. 6 the top assembled with a typical can, and Fig. 7 two suchassemblies in stacked relationship.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, the iirst operation part is generallyindicated at and, as shown in Fig. l, is generally circular inconfiguration and is preferably formed from flat light gauge metal suchas tin plate or black plate of the order of .012 thick. As shown in Fig.2, part 2G in cross-section is provided with a downwardly projectingrecess 21, which recess is provided with an outwardly extending arcuategenerally concave side wall portion 22 and an inwardly extendingupwardly angled generally straight wall portion 23.

Wall portion 23 terminates inwardly in a generally flat horizontalannular portion 24 which is provided with the preferably circular centeropening 25. Concave wall portion 22 terminates outwardly in an arcuategenerally convex rim portion 26, which rim portion terminates at theouter circumference of the part 20 in a downwardly extending lip portion27. As sho-wn, the top surface of at portion 24 preferably lies in theplane of the top surface of arcuate rim portion 26.

The second operation part shown in Fig. 3 and generally indicated at 28,is formed from the first operation part 20. In the second operation, adifferent configuration of recess 29 is formed.

Recess 29 is formed with a generally horizontal flat bottom portion 30.Portion 3i) terminates inwardly in a generally vertical upwardlyextending neck wall portion 31, with portions 30 and 31 being preferablyjoined by a rounded corner 32.

Vertical portion 31 terminates inwardly in a generally flat horizontalannular flange portion 33, with portions 31 and 33 preferably beingjoined by a rounded corner 34. Flat portion 34 terminates inwardly in apreferably circular center hole 35.

Flat bottom portion 30 terminates outwardlyv in an outwardly extendingarcuate generally concave portion 36 which extends upwardly to a rimportion 37. Portions 36 and 37 are preferably joined by a rounded corner38.

Chime ange rim portion 37 is formed with a preferably at generallyhorizontal portion 39 which is connected to the arcuate concave portion36 by the rounded corner 38. Portion 39 extends horizontally outwardlyand is connected at substantially right angles to the generally verticalupwardly extending portion 40. Portion 40 extends upwardly and isconnected at substantially right angles to the upper rim generallyhorizontal flat portion 41, which portion 41 terminates outwardly at theouter circumference of part 28 and is there connected at substantiallyright angles to the downwardly extending lip portion 42.

The height of flat annular portion 33 of part 28 is a predeterminedamount less than the height of the flat horizontal portion 41 forming apart of the rim portion 37, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.Also, the vertical distance between the plane of the flat annularportion 33 and the plane of the flat bottom portion 30 forming thebottom wall of the recess 29 is predetermined, for a purpose to behereinafter described.

The third operation part 43 is formed from the second operation part 28and is identical to part 28 with the exception that the upwardlyextending vertical neck portion 31 of part 28, in the third operation,is formed or beaded circumferentially outwardly into a generallyS-shape, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Thus, part 43 is provided with theoutwardly extending arcuate closure engagement ridge or bead 44 and theinwardly curved undercut portion 45. As shown, the maximum outerdiameter of ridge portion 44 is greater than the maximum diameter ofundercut portion 45.

The finished can top, shown in Fig. 4 as the third ,operation part 43,is secured to a usual cylindrical, atbottom can as shown in Fig. 7, by ausual seaming operation used in the can making industry. Rim portion 37,shown on part 28 in Fig. 3 and part 43 in Fig. 4, with the verticalportion 40, flat horizontal portion 41 and lip portion 42, is the usualchime flange of any can top; and the novelty of the improved can topconstruction of the present invention relates to the construction of thecan top inwardly of the rim portion, and to the relation of thisconstruction to the rim portion.

The nished can top generally indicated at 43 in Fig. 4, is preferablyused in combination with a plastic closure generally indicated at 46 inFig. 4. Closure '46 is preferably provided with a at top portion 47which terminates outwardly in a downwardly rounded corner portion 48;and closure 46 is also formed with a downwardly extending generallyVertical inwardly tapered side portion 49. Portion 49 is provided at itslowermost end and on the outer circumference thereof, with an outwardlyextending bead portion 50, which bead portion is formed at one pointaround the circumference thereof into an outwardly extending upwardlyangled tab portion S1.

Closure 46, as shown is positioned with the iiat top portion thereofclosing the center hole 35 of part 43, and with the rounded cornerportion 48 of closure 46 tightly abutting the rounded corner portion 34of part 43. `Also, the inwardly tapered side portion 49 of closure 46engages the engagement ridge or bead 44 of part 43, with side portion 49of closure 46 also tightly gripping the undercut portion 45 of part 43.

Thus, closure 46 tightly closes the center opening 3S in part 43, andthe `upwardly angled tab portion 51 extends radially outwardly withinthe recess 29 of part 43. Since tab portion 51 angles upwardly, a spaceis provided between the tab portion 51 and the flat bottom portion 30 ofpart 43 so that it is possible for a person to place the end of a lingerunder tab portion 51 and disengage closure 46 from the part .43.

lAs seen in Fig. 4, horizontal annular portion 33, which 'surrounds thepreferably circular opening 35 of part 43, ris spaced a sulhcientdistance below horizontal portion 41,

forming a part of the rim portion 37 of that part, so that when theplastic closure 46 is engaged with ridge 44 and covers the centeropening 35, the at top portion 47 of closure 46 is below the horizontalportion 41 of part 43. Thus, when the finished can top, indicated by 43in Fig. 4, is seamed to the vertical side walls of a standard can asshown in Fig. 6, the uppermost portion of the closure 46 is below theuppermost portion of part 43, so that cans so assembled may be stackedone above the other without the closure 46 interfering with the bottomof the can stacked thereabove, as shown in Fig. 7.

One of the major problems of forming the can top construction of thepresent invention, the final form of which is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5,6 and 7, is the forming of the beaded neck 31 in a can top having arelatively small outer diameter and chime depth so that such can top maybe seamed to a conventional size of can, as illus- 4trated in Figs. 6and 7. Further, such a small diameter top also must be formed with aneck portion 31 and horizontal annular portion 33, such as shown in thesecond operation part in Fig. 3, and also with such neck portion formedwith an adequately sized but small center hole 35 and with thehorizontal portion 33 spaced below the horizontal rim portion 41.Finally, such a can top `also must be formed from relatively thin gaugemetal in a minimum of operations so that the cost thereof is notprohibitive.

For instance, the second operation part, illustrated in 'Fig. 3, isformed having an overall outer diameter of about 3.238", with the outerdiameter of the neck portion, that is, the outer diameter of thevertical portion 31 shown in Fig. 3 being about 1.0625". Further, it isnecessary to provide a rim portion 37 having a width of about 0.2815 inorder that the horizontal portion 39, vertical portion 40, horizontalportion 41 and lip portion 42, as shown in Fig. 3, may be seamed to acan body by a usual seaming operation. Thus, the outer diameter of therecess 29, as shown in Fig. 3, is 2.675" with the width thereof being0.80625.

In the finished or third operation part, the depth of 'the flat bottomportion 30 of the recess 29 from the top of the rim portion 37 as shownin Fig. 4, is 0.29688, and the height of the neck portion, that is, thedistance from the bottom portion 30 of recess 29 to the horizontal'portion 33 is 0.21875, so that the top of the neck portion or thehorizontal portion 33 is spaced 0.07813" below 'the horizontal portion41 of the rim portion 37. Thus,

sufficient clearance is provided between the top of the neck portion andthe top of the rim portion so that when the closure 46 is positioned onthe neck portion, closure 46 will be spaced below or at least not extendabove the horizontal portion 41 of the rim portion 37.

In the third operation, the neck portion, that is, the vertical portion31, as shown in Fig. 3, is roller formed outwardly forming the closureengagement ridge 44 and the undercut portion 45, as shown in Figs. 4

and 5, so that the closure 46 may engage the ridge 44 and will besecurely retained thereon. in this third operation, the neck portion isformed from an outer 'diameter of 1.0625 to an outer diameter of 1.076"at the closure engagement ridge 44. Except for the height and the outerdiameter of the neck portion, the dimensions of the partdo not change inthe third operation.

Finally, the can top having the above dimensions and complicatedconfiguration of rim portion, recess and neck portion is formed, withthe various portions having the relative dimensions set out above, from0.012 thickness tin plate or black plate. It is possible to form such acan top construction in only three operations, by use of .the improvedmethod of the present invention as hereinafter described. f

The preferred' construction of apparatus for forming the can topconstruction of the present invention and for performing the threeoperations included in the method of the present invention, areillustrated in Figs. 8 through 15. The apparatus for performing thefirst operation is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. The apparatus forperforming the second operation is illustrated in Fig. 10, and theapparatus for performing the third operation in Figs. l1 through l5.

As illustrated in Figs. S and 9, the apparatus for performing the firstoperation includes an upper punch and shedder assembly, generallyindicated at 52, and a lower die assembly, generally indicated at 53,both of which are preferably formed of steel. The upper assembly 52includes a form punch 54, a center punch 55, a blanking punch 56 and ashedder assembly indicated at 57.

The form punch 54 is generally cylindrical in crosssection having agenerally at top end surface 58. The outer circumferential side surfaceof punch 54 is formed of one diameter from the top end surface 58, towithin a distance of the lower end of punch 54, forming the smalldiameter side surface portion 59. At the lower end of side surfaceportion 59, an outwardly extending shoulder 60 is formed and a largediameter side surface portion 61 extends from shoulder 61) to the lowerend of the punch 54.

The lower end of the punch 54 is formed with a relatively narrow flatannular horizontally extending surface portion 62 extending from theside surface 61 inwardly into a downwardly projecting arcuate convexsurface portion 63. Convex surface portion 63 terminates inwardly in anupwardly extending inner cylindrical surface portion 64, with portion 64extending upwardly to a generally horizontally extending fiat surface65.

A cylindrical hole 66 is formed axially within punch 54, extending fromthe top end surface 58 downwardly to within a distance of horizontalsurface 65, forming the side cylindrical surface 67 and the generally athorizontal bottom surface 63. A diametrical slot 69 is formed completelythrough punch 54, which slot is of the same length as the hole 66 andpasses diametrically through hole 66. Also, a hole 7 0 is formed axiallywithin punch 54 extending upwardly from horizontal surface 65 to withina distance of the bottom surface 63 of hole 66, forming the sidecylindrical surface 71 and the horizontal top surface 72.

The center punch 55 is generally cylindrical in configuration having alarge diameter outer circumferential surface portion 73 of a slightlysmaller diameter than the diameter of the side cylindrical surface 71 ofhole 70. Center punch 55 is received in the hole '70 with the largediameter outer surface portion 73 abutting the side cylindrical surface71, and with the top generally horizontal flat surface 74 of punch 55abutting the horizontal top surface 72 of hole 70.

Large diameter surface portion 73 of center punch 55 extends from thehorizontal top surface 72 of hole 70 downwardly to within a distance ofthe lower end of side cylindrical surface 71 of hole 70, where thecenter punch 55 is formed into a small diameter outer circumferentialsurface portion 75. Small diameter surface 75 lextends downwardly to apoint spaced below the horizontal flat surface of form punch 54, wherethe center punch 55 is provided with a fiat generally horizontal lowerend surface 76. Center punch 55 is fxedly secured in hole of form punch54 by a cap screw 77, which screw is received axially through centerpunch 55, countersunk below the lower end surface 76, and is threadablyreceived in the form punch 54.

Blanking punch 56 is generally hollow cylindrical in configurationhaving the large diameter outer circumferential surface 78 extendingfrom a point approximately radially aligned with the lowermost point ofthe down? wardly projecting convex surface portion 63 of form punch 54.Surface 78 extends upwardly vto a'` point spaced above and radiallyoutwardly of top end surface 58 of punch 54.

Small diameter outer circumferential surface 79 of blanking punch 56extends upwardly from a point radially aligned with the upper end ofsurface 78 and terminates in an upper radially extending end surface 80.Surfaces 78 and 79 are connected by a radially extending shouldersurface 81, and at the lower end of surface 78 is formed the radiallyextending lower end surface 82.

A circular opening is formed axially through blanking punch 56 formingthe large diameter inner circumferential surface 83 extending from thelower end surface 82 upwardly, with surface 83 being radially spacedoutwardly from the side surface portions 59 and 61 of form punch 54.Surface 83 terminates upwardly in a generally horizontal or radiallyextending surface 84, which surface 84 is spaced a distance above thetop end surface 58 of form punch 54 and spaced downwardly from theshoulder surface 81 of blanking punch 56.

A small diameter opening is formed axially of and extending upwardlyfrom the radially extending surface 84, forming the small diameter innercircumferential surface 85, with surface 85 terminating at a pointspaced downwardly from the upper radially extending surface 80. Surface85 terminates upwardly in an increased diameter opening forming theincreased diameter inner circumferential surface 86, which surface 86terminates at the upper radially extending end surface 80, with surfaces85 and 86 being connected by a radially extending shoulder surface 87.

A shim member 88 is received within the blanking punch 56, which shimmember is generally cylindrical in configuration and is provided with anouter circumferential surface 89, a radially extending upper end surface90 and a radially extending lower end surface 91. Shim member 88 ispositioned with the outer circumferential surface 89 abutting the largediameter inner circumferential surface 83 of blanking punch 56, and withthe upper end surface 90 of shim member 88 abutting the radiallyextending surface 84 of blanking punch 56.

Shim member 88 is also formed with an axially extending large diameteropening forming the large diameter inner circumferential surface 92,which surface extends from the lower end surface 91 of shim member 88upwardly. Surface 92 terminates upwardly in a radially extending surface93, which surface 93 connects surface 92 with a small diameter innercircumferential surface 94. Surface 94 extends upwardly from radialsurface 93 to the upper end surface 90 of shim member 88, with surface94 having a diameter larger than the cylindrical surface 67 of hole 66formed in the form punch 54.

The shedder assembly 57 includes a generally hollow cylindrical sheddermember 95, a cylindrical shedder stem 96 and a cylindrical bail pin 97.Shedder member 95 is provided with an outer circumferential surface 98,a lower radially extending end surface 99 and an upper radiallyextending end surface 100. Shedder member 95 is also provided with alarge diameter inner circumferential surface 101, extending upwardlyfrom the lower end surface 99 to a point spaced downwardly from theupper end surface 100, and the small diameter inner cir- 'cumferentialsurface 102, extending from the upper end of surface 101 to the upperend surface 100, forming the radially extending shoulder 102'.

As before stated, the shim member 88 is received within the blankingpunch 56, with the upper end surface 90 of member 88 abutting theradially extending surface 84 of blanking punch 56. Form punch 54 isreceived within shim member 88, with the small diameter side surfaceportion 59 of punch 54 spaced radially inwardly from the large diameterinner circumferential surface 92 of shim member 88, and with the top endsurface 58 of punch 54 abutting the radially extending surface 93 ofshim member 88.

Form punch 54, blanking punch 56 and vshim member 88 are held inassembled position, as shown in Figxf; preferably by the radially spacedcap screws 103,which cap screws are received through the shouldersurface 81 and radially extending surface 84 of blanking punch 56, theupper end surface and radially extending surface 93 of shim member 88,and the top end surface 58 of form punch 54. Bolts 103 are countersunkbelow the shoulder surface 81 of blanking punch 56, and threadablyreceived in form punch 54.

Shedder member is slidably received between the form punch 54 and theblanking punch 56, with the outer circumferential surface 98 of sheddermember 95 abutting the large diameter inner circumferential surface 83of blanking punch 56. Also, the large diameter inner circumferentialsurface 101 of shedder member 95 abuts the large diameter side surfaceportion 61 of form punch 54, and the small diameter innercircumferential surface 102 of member 95 is spaced from the smalldiameter side surface portion 59 of punch 54. t

When the upper punch and shedder assembly 52 and the lower die assembly53 are in closed position, as shown in Fig. 8, the lower end surface 99of shedder member 9S is approximately in radial alignment with the flatannular surface portion 62 of form punch 54. Further, the upper endsurface of member 95 abuts the lower end surface 91 of shim member 88,with shoulder 102' of member 95 being spaced upwardly from shoulder 60of form punch 54.

Radially spaced axially extending holes 104 are formed through theshedder member 95, with each hole having a screw-receiving portion 105,a spring-receiving portion 106 and a reduced diameter pin-receivingportion 107. Screw-receiving portion 105 extends from the upper endsurface 100 a distance downwardly, with springreceiving portion 106extending from portion 105 downwardly to a point spaced above the lowerend surface 99 and pin-receiving portion 107 extending from portion 106to lower end surface 99. Since portion 107 is of a smaller diameter thanportion 106, the shoulder 108 is formed therebetween.

Shedder pins 109 are received through pin-receiving portions 107 inholes 104, with pins 109 each being provided with a large diameter headportion 110, which is received within each of the spring-receivingportions 106 engageable with shoulders 108. A helical spring 111 isreceived in each of the spring-receiving portions abutting the headportions 110 of shedder pins 109', with springs 111 extending upwardlyand abutting the set screws 112, which screws are threadably received inthe screw-receiving portions 105 of holes 104. These spring-loadedshedder pins are for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Shedder stern 96 is provided with a small diameter portion 113 extendingfrom the upper end thereof over the greater portion of the length ofstem 96, forming the small diameter outer circumferential surface 114.Stem 96 is also provided with a large diameter portion extending fromthe lower end of portion 113 downwardly to the lower end of stem 96,forming the large diameter outer circumferential surface 116, with thelower end of portion 115 being provided with a radially extending sternbottom surface 117.

Shedder stem 96 is received in slidable relation within form die 54,shim member 88 and blanking die 56, with the small diameter outercircumferential surface 114 of small diameter portion 113 spaced fromthe increased diameter inner circumferential surface 86 and abutting thesmall diameter inner circumferential surface 85 of blanking punch 56.The outer surface 114 of stem 96 also extends through shim member 88spaced from the small diameter inner circumferential surface 94 ofmember 88, with surface 114 also extending downwardly a distance withinhole 66 of form punch 54.r

The large diameter portion 115 of shedder stem 96 is received withinhole 66, with the large diameter cuter lcircumferential surface 116preferably spaced from the side cylindrical surface 67 of hole 66. Bailpin 97 is received centrally through large diameter portion 115 andextends radially projecting therefrom through the slot 69 in form punch54, with the ends of the bail pin being received through radiallyaligned radially extending holes 118 formed through the shedder member95, as best seen in Fig. 9.

Thus, shedder stem 96 is movable axially up or down in reference to formpunch 54, blanking punch 56 and shim member 88, with the bail pin 97forcing the shedder member 95 to move with shedder stem 96. When theassemblies 52 and 53 are in closed position as shown in Fig. 8, theshedder member 95 is forced to its maximum upward position, abuttingshim member 88, as before described, and therefore the bottom surface117 of shedder stem 96 is spaced upwardly from the bottom surface 68 ofhole 66 in form punch 54, as shown.

When, however, assemblies 52 and 53 are separated (not shown), theshedder stem 96 may move downwardly until the bottom surface 117 thereofabuts the bottom surface 68 of hole 66 in form punch 54. As stem 96moves downwardly, bail pin 97 will move downwardly in slot 69 in formpunch 54, and also shedder member 95 will move downwardly in referenceto form punch 54 and blanking punch 56, sliding in reference theretountil the shoulder 102 of shedder member 95 is only spaced slightlyabove shoulder 60 on form punch 54.

In this position, the lower end surface 99 of shedder ,member 95 will beextended below the lower end surface v82 of blanking punch 56. Further,with assemblies 52 Vand 53 separated, springs 111 will force the shedderpins .109 `to move downwardly in hole portions 107, with the vends ofpins 109 extending below the lower end surface 99 of shedder member 95.The lower die assembly 53 includes a form die 119, .a center form 120, acenter cut 121, a pressure ring 122 and a blanking die 123. Die 119,center form and cut 120 and 121, pressure ring 122 and blanking die 123are mounted assembled on a die shoe 124, which die shoe may be in turnmounted on the usual bottom die plate 125 of a standard stamping press(not shown).

The die shoe 124 is formed with a downwardly projecting centrallylocated cylindrical recess 126 and the generally cylindrical form die119 is positioned partially telescoped therein. Die 119 is retainedpositioned in the recess 126 preferably by radially spaced bolts 127,which bolts are received through the die shoe 124 and ,threadablyengaged in the die 119.

Form die 119 is provided with a large diameter side surface portion 128extending from the lower end of die 119, within the recess 126, to apoint spaced above the top surface of the die shoe 124. Die 119 isfurther provided with a small diameter side surface portion 129, whichextends from the large diameter portion 128 to the upper end of die 119,forming the radially extending shoulder portion 130 between surfaces 123and 129.

Small diameter surface portion 129 terminates in an arcuately curvedgenerally radially extending upper surface portion 131, which surfaceportion extends from the small diameter surface 129 inwardly, and thenis formed into an arcuately generally downwardly extending upper surfaceportion 132. Surface 132 terminates .downwardly and inwardly in agenerally radially extending upper surface portion 133.

Surface 133 terminates inwardly at the centrally located axiallyextending opening 134, which opening extends completely through die 119.Center form 120 is generally cylindrical in configuration and istelescopically received within the opening 134, with the lower end of'center form 120 resting on the top surface of die shoe V124 and theupper end thereof extending a distance above -the radially extendingupper surface portion 133 of form die 119. t

Center form is provided with theouter side surface 135 which terminatesat the upper end of form 120 in an upwardly inwardly curved end surface136. End surface 136 terminates inwardly at a centrally located axiallyextending opening 137, which opening extends the complete length of form120. Center cut 121, also being generally cylindrical in configuration,is telescopically received within the opening 137 with the bottom endthereof abutting the top surface of die shoe 124.

The upper end surface 138 of center cut 121 is in aligment with theuppermost point on end surface 136 of center form 120, with surface 138extending generally radially inwardly in a centrally located axiallyextending opening 139. Opening 139 extends the complete length of centercut 121 and for a distance from the upper end downwardly is of adiameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of surface portion 75of center punch 55, which punch forms a portion of the upper assembly 52before described. Opening 139 also is aligned with and connects with theopening 140 of die shoe 124 and opening 141 of bottom die plate 125, fora purpose to be hereinafter described.

Small diameter side surface portion 129 of form die 119 is of a diameterslightly smaller than the inner surface 83 of blanking punch 56, whichpunch forms a part of the upper assembly 52, so that these two surfacesare spaced from each other when assemblies 52 and 53 are in closedposition, as shown in Fig. 8, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.Pressure ring 122 is telescoped over the form die 119 in slidablerelation, abutting the side surface portion 129 of die 119.

Pressure ring 122 is generally L-shaped in cross-section and is providedwith the large diameter outer surface 142 extending from the lower endsurface 143 upwardly, and the small diameter outer surface portion 144extending from surface portion 142 to the upper end surface 145 of ring122. A radially extending shoulder portion 146 is formed between surfaceportions 142 and 144, with the lower end 143 and the upper end 145 alsoextending in a general radial direction.

Blanking die 123 is positioned telescoped over the pressure ring 122with the upper generally radially extending surface 147 spaced above theupper end of ring 122 and also spaced above the upper surface portion131 of form die 119. The lower end of ring 123 abuts the top surface ofdie shoe 124 adjacent the recess 126, with ring 123 being solidly aixedthereto by means of the radially spaced bolts 148 received through thedie shoe 124 and threadably received in the ring 123.

Upper end surface 147 terminates inwardly in a small diameter innersurface 149, with surface 149 extending from end surface 147 downwardlyto a point spaced below the upper end surface of pressure ring 122.Large diameter inner surface 150 extends from small diameter surface 149downwardly to a point spaced below the shoulder portion 130 of form die119, with the intermediate diameter inner surface portion 151 extendingfrom surface 115 to the lower end of blanking die 123.

Radially extending shoulder portion 152 is formed between surfaces 149and 150 and when assemblies 52 and 53 are in closed position, as shownin Fig. 8, shoulder portion 152 of blanking die 123 is spaced upwardlyfrom shoulder portion 146'of pressure ring 122. Also, when the dies arein closed position, the blanking punch 56, forming a part of assembly52, is received between the small diameter surface 149 of blanking die123 and the small diamter surface portion 129 of form die 119, with thelower end surface 82 of blanking punch 56 abutting the upper end surface145 of pressure ring 122.

Spring openings 153 are formed radially spaced through die shoe 124 andform die 119, opening at the shoulder portion 130 of die 119 below thelower end surface 143 of pressure ring 122. Preferably helical springs154are positioned within the openings 153 abutting the top surf ace ofthe bottom vdie plate 1 25and extending through the shoulder portion 130of form die 119 thereby bearing against the lower end surface 143 ofpressure ring 122.

Thus, when the vassemblies 52 and 53 are in closed position, as shown inFig. 8, the blanking punch 56 forces the pressure ring 122 to compressthe springs 154, and causes the lower end surface 143 of pressure ring122 to approachthe shoulder portion 130 of form die 119. Whenassemblies52 and 53 are in separated position, that is, the assembly 52spaced vertically from the assembly 53, the springs 154 force thepressure ring 122 vertically upwardly in reference to form die 119 andblanking die 123, u ntil theshoulder portion 146of pressure ring 122abuts theshoulder portion v152 of blanking die 123.

Referring to Fig. 8, at the start of the first operation, the assemblies52 and 53 are in separated position (not shown), that is, the assembly52 is spaced vertically from the assembly 53'. A strip or sheet of fiatrelatively light gauge metal, preferably tin plate or black plate of theorder of .012" thick, is placed over the opening formed by thesmalldiameter inner surface 149 of the blanking die 123 and the upper endsurface 145 of the pressure ring 122. The press (not shown), having theassemblies 52 and 53 mounted thereon, is then started in its downwardstroke'starting the iirst operation.

The lower end surface 82 of 4the blanking punch 56 is the rst portion ofassembly 52 which contacts the flat light gauge metal causing thepressure ring 122 to move downwardly compressing the helical springs154. As surface 82 of blanking punch 56 approaches the radially eX-Itending surface147 of blanking die 123, punch 56 shears out a circularblank between these surfaces, while the pressure ring 122, verticallyaligned beneath the blanking punch 56, prevents the outer edge of thecircular blank from wrinkling and distorting.

As assembly 52 continues its vertically downward movement, form punch '4contacts the top surface of the circular blank and begins to form therecess 21 of the first operation part 20, shown in Fig. 2. This formingof recess 21 causes the outer diameter of the part 20 to decrease,enabling the blauking punch 56 to pass by the outer circumference ofpart 20 and contact the pressure ring 122, thereby forming thedownwardly extending lip portion 2 7 of part 20 in the space between theblanking punch 56 and the form die 119 and starting to form the arcuateconvex rim portion 26.

As the upper assembly 52 continues its downward movement, the form punch54 begins to telescope into the center form 120 and 'around the centercut 121, thereby beginning vto vform the at horizontal portion 24, the'upwardly angled straight 'wall portion 23 and the arcuate concave wallportion 22 of part 20. This also continues toform the arcuate convex rimportion 26 of parfzo.

As form punch 54 continues downwardly, the lower end surface 76 ofcenter punch 55 contacts the top surface f part20 centrally thereof,shearing out the circular cenvter openingZS of part 20, with centerpunch 55 telescopV- ing within the center cut l121 in the opening 139.As the center opening 25 is formed, the resulting circular slug f metalfalls through opening 139 in center cut 121, opening 140 in die shoey124 and opening 141 in bottom die plate 125.

punch54 continues downwardly as do center punch 55, blanking punch 56and shedder member 95, withthe blanking punch 56 telescoping within theblanking die 123, the shedder member 95 and form punch 54 approachingthe form die 119, and with the center punch 55- telescping furtherwithin the center cut 121, until the upper assembly 52 is in itslowermost position in reference to lower assembly 53, as shown in Fig.8. After the center opening 25 of part 20 is formed by the center punch55, the continued downward movement of the form punch 54, forming therecess 21, causes the center opening 25 to increase `in diameter,thereby preventing the thin gauge metal forming part 20 from cracking orl Y f '14 splitting over the center form 120 and the center cut 121..

Thus, the circular blank ultimately forming the part 20 is first blankedfrom the thin gauge metal by the blanking punch 56 and the blanking die123. The form punch 54 then begins to form the recess 21 of partV 20,causing the outer diameter of the part to decrease and allowing theblanking punch 56 to form the lip portion 27 over the arcuate uppersurface portion 131 of form die 119, and between the side surfaceportion 129 of form die 119 and the inner circumferential surface 83 ofblanking punch 56.

Intermediate the phase of the operation forming the recess 21, thecenter opening 25 of part 20 is formed by the center punch 55, with theform punch 54 thereafter continuing downwardly forming the final shapeof the recess 21. The arcuate concave wall portion 22 of part 20 isformed by the downwardly projecting arcuate convex surface portion 63 ofform punch 54, and the upwardly angled relatively straight wall portion23 of part 20 is formed adjacent convex surface portion 63 of punch 54between punch 54 and the center form 120.

The downward forming of recess 21 of part 20 causes the arcuate convexrim portion 26 to be formed over the arcuate upper surface portion 131of form die 119. It also causes a rounded corner to be formed betweenthe angled wall portion 23 and the horizontal annular portion 24 of part20 by the upper end surface 136 of center form 120.

Thus, one of the critical features of the first operation in forming theintermediate blank 20 shown in Fig. 2 from the light gauge metal withoutappreciable thinning of the walls of the blank- 20 is, the drawing ofthe metal inward from the outer regions of the blank cut by blankingpunch 56, and the drawing of the metal outward from the central portionof the blank after opening 25 is formed therein. That is to say, priorto the forming of opening 25, the metal is drawn inward from the outerregions of the blank while the central portion of the blank resistssubstantially all outward drawing of metal from this central portion,but after the forming of opening 25, metal is drawn both inward from theouter regions of the blank and outward from the central portion thereof.This inward and outward metal drawing enables the recess 21 in blank 20to be formed without thinning the blank metal and without sowork-hardening the blank metal-except immediately adjacent the peripheryof opening 2'5-1-as to prevent further forming of the metal. Asindicated, the inward drawing of metal from the outer regions of theblank is accompanied by a decrease in the diameter of blank 20 from thesize thereof sheared by blanking punch 56, and an increase in thediameter of hole 25 from the size thereof sheared by center punch 55.

As the press starts its upward stroke, causing the upper assembly 52 tomove vertically upwardly away from the lower assembly 53, the finishedpart 20 is retained with the outer circumference thereof surrounded bythe blanking punch 56, so that part 20 moves upwardly with the upperassembly 52 away from the lower assembly 53. After part 20 has beenstripped from the lower assembly 53 and is spaced thereabove, theshedder stem 96 is stopped while the upper assembly 52 continues itsupward movement.

This causes the bail pin 97 to move downwardly in reference to the formpunch 54 in the slot 69, thereby causing the shedder member to movedownwardly in reference to the center punch 54 and the blanking punch56, and causing the shedder member 95 to strip the part 20 from withinthe blanking punch 56 and away from the form punch 54. As part 20 stripsfrom punches 54 and 56, springs 111 urge the shedder pins 109downwardly, causing part 20 to be moved clear of shedder member 95,thereby completing the iirst operation.

The apparatus for performing the second operation lis illustrated inFig. 10 and includes an upper punch and shedder assembly, generallyindicated at 155, and a lower die assembly, generally indicated at 156.The upper assembly 155 of the apparatus for performing the secondoperation is very similar to the upper assembly 52 of the apparatus forperforming the first operation, shown in Fig. 8, with assembly 155including a form punch 157, a center punch 158, a punch holder 159, ashedder assembly 160 and a shim member 161.

The form punch 157 is formed and located similarly to the form punch inthe apparatus for performing the first operation, with the exception ofthe configuration of the lower end thereof. Punch 157 is provided at itslower end, with a generally vertically extending outer circumferentialsurface 162, which surface extends below the lower end 163 of theshedder member 164, when the upper and lower assemblies 155 and 156 arein closed position, as shown in Fig. l0. Outer surface 162 terminates atthe lower end of the punch 157 in a generally horizontally extendingannular end surface portion 165, which end surface portion extends fromthe outer surface 162 a distance radially inwardly.

Horizontal end surface portion 165 terminates inwardly in the downwardlycurved convex end surface portion 166, with convex end surface portion166 terminating inwardly in a generally horizontally extending annularend surface portion 167. Horizontal surface portion 167 extends inwardlyand terminates in an opening 168, which opening is formed centrallywithin the form punch 157 and extends axially and vertically upwardlywithin punch 157, forming the inner circumferential surface 169 and therounded corner 170 between end surface 167 and surface 169.

Center punch 158 is received in opening 168 and is secured therein bythe bolt 171. Punch 158 is similar to the center punch in the apparatusfor performing the first operation, with the end thereof spaced abovethe end surface 167 of the form punch 157, but with the outercircumferential surface 172 thereof of a larger diameter than the centerpunch in the apparatus for performing the first operation.

The punch holder 159 is of simil-ar configuration to the blanking punch56, shown in Fig. 8, for the first operation, but the punch -holder 159merely serves as a retainer for the various parts of the upper assembly155 while similarly aiding in forming the outer circumferential lipportion of the second operation part, as will be hereinafter described.Shim member 161 is similar in configuration to that in the firstoperation apparatus, being similarly located between the upper end ofthe form punch 157 and the punch holder 159, as shown in Fig. l0.Further, the form punch 157, punch Aholder 159 and shim member 161 aresimilarly retained in assembled position by a series ofcircumferentially spaced bolts 173.

Shedder member 164, as in the first operation apparatus, is slidablyreceived between the outer circumferential surface 162 of form punch 157and the inner circumferential surface 174 of punch holder 159. Theremainder of the `shedder assembly 160 includes the bail pin 175 and theshedder `stem 176, with the various parts of shedder assembly 160 beingassembled and operating substantially the same as in the first operationapparatus.

` As before, the bail pin 175 is secured to the shedder stem 176 andalso to the shedder member 164 through the slot 177 formed in the formpunch 157. Also, as before, the shedder member 164 is provided with aseries of circumferentially spaced shedder pins 178, which pins areurged downwardly in reference to shedder member 164 by the preferablyhelical springs 179.

The lower die assembly 156 is similar in construction and operation tothe lower die assembly 53 in the first operation apparatus. Assembly156, similar to assembly 53, includes a form die 180, a center cut andform 181, with the center form 120 and blanking die 123 of the firstoperation apparatus being replaced by similarly located die sheddermember 182 and retaining ring 183, respec-l 18 tively. Additionally, .ashim' member 184 is positioned between the center cut and form 1,81'andthe die shedder member 182., with all of these various parts beingassembled, as before, on a die shoe 185, which shoe is in turn mountedon a bottom die plate 186 of a standard stamping press (not shown) Formdie is provided with a large diameter outer circumferential surfacev 187extending from the lower end thereof upwardly and a small diameter outercircumferential surface 188 extending from surface 187 to the upper endof die 180, thereby forming the radially extending shoulder 189 betweensurfaces 187 and 188. Retaining ring 183 is secured to the die shoe 185by means of circumferentially spaced bolts 190 with ring 183 beingprovided with a large diameter inner circumferential surface 191,extending upwardly from die shoe 185, and small diameter innercircumferential surface 192, extend# ing from surface 191 to the upperend of ring 183, with radially extending shoulder 193 being formedthere# between.

Spring openings 194 are formed vertically through the die shoe 185beneath the lower end of form die 180, and the preferably helicalsprings 195 are positioned in holes 194, bearing against the top surfaceof the bottom die plate 186 and the lower end of the form die 180. Reltaining ring 183 is telescoped over the form die 180 so that the largediameter surface 187 of die 180 is abutting and slidable along the largediameter surface 191 of ring 183, the small diameter surface 188 of die180 is abutting and slidable along the small diameter surface 192 ofring 183, and so that shoulder 189 of die 180 is vertically opposite theshoulder 193 of ring 183.

Thus, when form die 180 is forced downwardly by the upper assembly 155,and when the assemblies 155 and 156 are in closed position, the lowerend of the die 180 abuts the top surfaces of the die shoe 185,compressing the helical springs 195 between die 180 and the bottom dieplate 186 and positioning shoulder 189 of die 180 below the7 shoulder193 of ring 183. When, however, the assemblies 155 and 156 are in openposition (not shown), that is, when the assembly 155 is spacedvertically from the' assembly 156, the helical springs 195 urge the die180 to' slide vertically upwardly in reference to ring 183 until theshoulder 189 of die 180 abuts the shoulder 193 of ring 183.

Form die 180 is provided with a hole formed centrally therethrough,forming the large diameter inner circumfer-l ential ysurface 196,extending from the lower end of die 180 upwardly and the small diameterinner circumferen# tial surface 197, extending from surface 196 to theupper end of die 180. Radially extending shoulder 198l iS formed betweensurfaces 196 and 197.

The upper end of die 180 is formed with an arcuate' generally radiallyextending surface v199 which Aextends from the outer circumferentialsurface 188 inwardly and terminates in a generally vertical downwardlyextending surface 200. Surface 200 in turn terminates in a radiallyinwardly extending surface 201. Surface 201 terminates inwardly in anarcuate downwardly curved concave surface 202, which terminates in aradially extending surface 203, with surface 203 terminating inwardly at.the small diameter inner circumferential surface 197.. v

Die shedder member 182 is 4generally L-shaped in cross` section and isprovided with a shoulder 204. Shedder 182 is telescopically received inform die 180, with l.the shoulder 204 on shedder 182 verticallyvopposite the shoulder 198 of die 180. y

Shim member 184 is positioned abutting the lower end of die sheddermember 182, with both shedder member 182 and shim member 184 resting onthe shoulder 205of center cut and form 181, when the assemblies 155 and156 are in closed position. Also, th'e upper end of shedi der member 182is radially aligned with the radially extending surface 203 of form die180 when assemblies 155 and 156 are closed, as shown in Eig.. 10. l I

`Center cut and form 181 is also generally L-shaped in cross-section andis received in a recess 206 formed in the die shoe 185, being retainedtherein by the circumferentially spaced bolts 207, as shown. The smalldiameter outer circumferential surface portion 208 of form 181 isreceived telescopically through the shedder member 182 and the shimmember 184, with the upper end of form 181 extending vertically abovethe upper end of shedder member 182, when assemblies 155 and 156 are inclosed position.

Small diameter surface 208 of form 181 terminates at the upper end ofform 181 in a radially extending upper end surface 209, with surfaces208 and 209 being joined by a radiused corner 210. Upper end surface 209terminates inwardly in a centrally located opening 211, which openingextends completely through form 181. Opening 211 is formed of a diameterslightly larger than the outer circumferential surface of center punch158 of the upper assembly 155, below the end surface 209. Openings 212and 213 in die shoe 185 and lower die plate 186 respectively,communicate with the opening 211 in form 181.

Circumferentially spaced spring openings 214 are formed verticallythrough the die shoe 185 and the form 181, terminating at the shoulder185 of form 181. Preferably helical springs 215 are received in theopenings 214 bearing against the upper surface of the lower die plate186 and the lower surface of shim member 184.

Thus, when the assemblies 155 and 156 are in closed position, as shownin Fig. 10, the form die 180 is forced against the die shoe 185,compressing the springs 195, as before described. Further, the sheddermember 182 is forced against the shim member 184, whichvis in turnforced against the shoulder 185 of form 181 compressing the lsprings 215between the die shoe 186 and the shim member 184. Also, when in suchposition, the upper end of shedder member 185 is radially aligned withthe surface 203 of form die 180, and the shoulder 204 of shedder member182 is spaced vertically downwardly from the shoulder 198 of form die180.

When the assemblies 155 and 156 are in open position (not shown), thesprings 195 urge the form die 180 upwardly until the shoulder 189 of die180 abuts the shoulder 193 of ring 183, as before described. Also, thesprings 215 urge the shim member 184 and the shedder member 182 upwardlyuntil the shoulder 204 of shedder member 182 abuts the shoulder 198 ofform die 180, thereby spacing the upper end of lthe shedder member 182vertically above the surface 203'of form die 180.

At the start of the second operation, the assemblies 155 and 156 are inopen position (not shown), that is, the upper assembly 155 is spacedvertically above the lower assembly 156. The first operation part 20, asshown in Fig. 2, is placed over the upper end of the shedder member 182and above the upper end of the form die 180.

The upper assembly 155 starts its downward stroke and the punch holder159 contacts the edge portion of part 20 and begins to form the lipportion 42 of second operation part 28. Since the inner circumferentialsurface 174 of punch holder 159 is spaced from the outer circumferentialsurface 188 of form die 180, lip portion 42 is formed between thesesurfaces.

As assembly 155 continues its downward movement, form punch 157 beginsto form the recess 29 of part 28. Intermediate the start of the formingof recess 29 and the bottoming of form punch 157 in the form die 180,the center hole 35 of part 28 is formed by the center punch 158. Centerpunch 158 merely shears out a ring of metal, that is, the annular widthof metal between the center hole 25 of part 20 and the center hole 35 ofpart 28.

As form punch 157 telescopes over the center cut and form 181, theupwardly extending vertical portion of part 28 is formed as well as theflat horizontal annular portion 33 and the radiused corner 32therebetween. Further, the recess 29, the llat horizontal portion 39,the

18 vertical portion 40, the at horizontal portion 41 and the lip 42 areformed to their final configuration.

As before stated, the lip portion 42 is formed between the innercircumferential surface 174 of punch holder 159 and the outercircumferential surface 188 of form die 180. Further, the at horizontalportion 41 is formed between the lower end 163 of the shedder member 164and the arcuate radially extending surface 199 of form die 180, with thevertical portion 40 of part 28 being formed between the outercircumferential surface 162 of form punch 157 `and the verticallydownwardly extending surface 200 of form die 180.

Still further, the flat horizontal portion 39 of part 28 is formedbetween the radial surface 201 of form die 180 and the annular endsurface portion 165 of form punch 157. Also, the concave portion 36 ofpart 28 is formed between the convex end surface portion 166 of formpunch 157 and the concave surface 202 of form die 180, with the atbottom portion 30 of part 28 being formed between the end surfaceportion 167 of form punch 157 and the radially extending surface 203 ofform die 180.

Finally, the vertical neck portion 31 of part 28 is `formed between theinner circumferential surface 169 of form punch 157 and the outercircumferential surface 208 of center cut and form 181, with the roundedcomer 34 and the flat horizontal lannular portion 33 of part 28 beingformed over the rounded corner 210 and upper end surface 209 of `form181. Since the center hole 35 of part 28 is formed by the center punch158 intermediate the phase of the operation forming the recess 29 of thepart 28, the formation of the final shape of the recess 29 draws metal`from around the center hole 35 resulting in an increase in diameter ofhole 35. This increase in diameter of hole 35 can take place without themetal around the hole tearing or splitting--as the recess 29 is formeddownwardly and the vertical neck portion 31, rounded corner 32 and flathorizontal annular portion 33 are formed upwardly-because of the removalof work hardened metal immediately surrounding hole 25 in blank 2t) bythe shearing of a ring of metal surrounding hole 25 by center punch 158.This work hardening of metal around hole 25 in blank 20 occurs informing blank 20 during the rst operation and if the work-hardenedmetalis not removed by center punch 158 during the formation of recess 29 inblank 28 and of neck 31, it may be impossible to produce the blank 28without destructive metal thinning, cracking or tearing.

Stated in general terms, the metal flow in the second operation is rstoutward and downward from around the center opening yor hole 25 of therst operation part 20 which begins to increase the diameter of hole 25to commence the forming of neck 31 of the second operation part. Afterthis initial drawing, the ring of metal is sheared from around this rstoperation hole 25 with this ring of metal that is sheared including anywork hardened metal `around this hole, so that the latter stages of thesecond operation in the final formation of neck 31 can proceed and thefinal metal flow is not resisted by the work hardened metal around hole25. Thus, `although it is possible to draw metal outward from thecentral portion of the first operation blank in the initial stages ofthe second operation, the final neck formation could not take placewithout splitting, cracking and possibly tearing metal, without the aidof the work hardened metal around the rst operation part hole 25 beingremoved, as well as any further work hardening resulting in the initialstages of the second operation, so that the nal forming of the secondoperation part neck 31 can proceeed with ease and without damage to themetal.

Thus, the part 20 from the rst operation is placed on lower assembly 156forming a part of the apparatus for performing the second operation andthe upper assembly 161 starts downwardly. The punch holder 159 contactsthe outer circumference of part 20 and starts to form the lip portion42, as shown on the second operation part 28,

The form punch 157 then begins to form the recess 29 of part 28, withthe center punch 158 shearing out the center hole intermediate or duringthe phase of the operation of forming recess 29. After center hole 35has been formed, the form punch 157 continues downwardly finallybottoming in form die 180 and forming the recess 29 of part 28 havingthe horizontal at bottom portion 30, the upwardly extending generallyconcave portion 36 and the upwardly extending vertical neck portion 31.

Also, the bottoming of form punch 157 forms the lip portion 42, the flathorizontal portion 41, the vertical portion 40 and the flat horizontalportion 39 into their final shapes, as shown in Fig. 3. Further, theflat horizontal annular portion 33 and the rounded corner 34 betweenportion 33 and the vertical portion 31 are formed into final shape, withthe center hole 35 increasing slightly in diameter during this nalforming without splitting or tearing over the center cut and form 181.

For removal of the second operation part, the upper assembly 155 ismoved upwardly away from the lower assembly 156. As assembly 155 startsto move upwardly, the form die 180 is urged upwardly by the springs 195stripping the part from the center cut and form 181, with the die 180following assembly 155 until the shoulder 189 of die 180 engages theshoulder 193 of the retaining ring 183. Also, as die 180 moves upwardly,moving the part upwardly, the springs 215 urge the shim member 184 andthe die shedder member 182 upwardly, so that parts 184 and 182 remain inthe same position in reference to die 180 even though they are i allmoving upwardly with the upper assembly 155.

As the shoulder 189 of die 180 contacts the shoulder 193 of retainingring 183, the die 180 stops its upward movement, but the springs 215continue to urge the shim member 184 and die shedder member 182upwardly, until the shoulder 204 of the shedder member 182 contacts theshoulder 198 of die 180. This causes the shedder member 182 to projectabove the end surface portion 167 of die 180 and strips the part 28 fromdie 180.

As the shoulder 204 of shedder member 182 contacts the shoulder 198 ofdie 180, the upward movement of shedder member 182 and the shim member184 is stopped. Thus, as the upper assembly 155 continues its upwardmovement, part 28 is retained with the outer circumference thereofsurrounded by the punch holder 159 and with the upper surface thereofretained against the lower end surface 163 of the upper assembly sheddermember 164 and the form punch 157.

After the upper assembly 155 is suiiiciently separated from the lowerassembly 156 so that the part 28 is completely clear of and spaced fromthe lower assembly 156, the shedder stem 176 is stopped from furtherupward movement, while the upper assembly 155 continues upwardly. Thiscauses the bail pin 175 to move downwardly in the slot 177 and therebymove the shedder member 164 downwardly stripping the part 28 from thepunch holder 159 and the form punch 157. As part 28 is stripped fromform punch 157 and punch holder 159, the springs 179 urge the shedderpins 178 downwardly freeing the part 28 from the shedder member 164 andthereby completing the second operation.

The apparatus for performing the third operation is illustrated in Figs.ll through l5. As before stated, in the third operation, the secondoperation part 28 is formed into the third operation part 43, as shownin Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. The only portion of the part that is changed inthe third operation is the upwardly extending vertical neck portion 31of part 28, which is formed into the closure engagement ridge 44 and theundercut portion 45.

The apparatus for performing the third operation includes a mountingbracket assembly generally indicated at 216, a spindle slide assemblygenerally indicated at 217, a beading roll indicated at 218, a controlrod as- 2@ sembly generally indicated at 219 and a beading die assemblygenerally indicated at 220.

The mounting bracket assembly 216 is formed of a lower member 221 and acover member 222. The lower member 221 is formed with a longitudinallyextending U-shaped recess 223, which recess extends from the rear endsurface 224 the length of member 221 to a point spaced from the forwardend surface 225 and opens upwardly.

Cover member 222 is secured to the upper surface 226 of lower member 221closing recess 223 and extending the length thereof. Cover member 222 issecured to lower member 221 preferably by means of bolts 227, and member222 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 228.

Lower member 221 is further provided with a vertically extending opening229 at the forward end thereof communicating with the recess 223, andthe lower portion of opening 229 is formed with a large diameter bore2341. The thrust bearing assembly 231 is received in bore 238 of opening229, with spring loaded pins 232 urging bearing 231 downwardly and withlower cover plate 233 restricting the downward movement of bearing 231,as shown in Fig. 12.

Bearing 231 is provided with an upper plate 234, abutted by the pins232, and a lower plate 235. Plate 235 is provided with a ange 236engageable with cover plate 233 and a lower abutment surface 237 for apurpose to be hereinafter described. Thrust balls 238 are positionedbetween plates 234 and 235, so that lower plate 235 is freely rotatablein reference to upper plate 234 but is restricted from vertical movementin reference to plate 234.

Spindle slide assembly 217 includes a slide 239 having a bracketmounting portion 240 and a spindle portion 241. Bracket mounting portion240 is slidably mounted in recess 223 of lower member 221 beneath thecover member 222, and the spindle mounting portion 241 is received inthe opening 229 in member 221 extending the vertical length of opening229 and surrounded by thrust bearing 231. Spindle mounting portion 241has smaller outside dimensions than the diameter of opening 229 and theinner diameter of bearing 231, so that portion 241 is horizontallymovable in reference to the lower member 221.

Bearing blocks 242 are mounted at the lower surface of bracket mountingportion 240 of slide 239 so that slide 239 is freely horizontallymovable in reference to lower member 221 and cover member 222. Leverblock 243 is mounted at the upper surface of slide 239 secured theretowithin the slot 228 formed in cover member 222. The lever block 243 issmaller than slot 228 so that block 243 is horizontally movable in slot228 and cover member 222.

The control rod assembly 219 includes a generally horizontal rod 244 anda generally vertical rod 245, Rod 244 is pivotally mounted on the covermember 222 by bracket 246 and is rockably engaged with the lever block243 as at 247.

The other end of horizontal rod 244 is pivotally con nected to thevertical rod 245 at a point spaced from the rear end surface 224 oflower member 221, with vertical member 245 extending downwardly. Thepull rod 248 and the pressure collar 249 are secured to the vertical rod245 by a spring cushion 250.

The beading roll 218 is journalled in the spindle mounting portion 241of slide 239, with spindle portieri 251 extending ybelow the lowersurface of mounting portion 241 and with the roll portion 252 mounted atthe lower end of portion 251. Roll portion 252 is provided with anarcuate outer circumferential surface 253 for a purpose to behereinafter described.

Beading die assembly 220 includes a beading die 254 and a rotatablemounting shaft 255. Shaft 255 is connected to rotatable drive means (notshown) and extends 21` vertically, with the beading die 254 beingsecured to the upper end thereof for rotation therewith.

As best shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the beading die 254 is preferablycylindrical in conguration and is provided with a centrally locatedaxially extending opening 256 extending downwardly from the uppersurface 257 of die 254. Opening 256 has a larger diameter than the outerdiameter of roll portion 252 of beading roll 218 and is providedintermediate the depth thereof with an enlarged circumferential recess258. Recess 258 is located above the lower end surface 259 of opening256 and is below the upper surface 257 of beading die 254.

In the third operation, the second operation part 28 is turned upsidedown and placed on 'beading die 254, with the vertical neck portion 31of part 28 extending into the opening 256 in die 254 and adjacent therecess 258. Further, the horizontal portion 33 of part 28 rests on thelower end surface 259 of opening 256 and the flat bottom portion 30rests on the upper surface 257, with the remainder of part 28 extendingoutwardly from die 254, as shown in Fig. 12.

The mounting shaft 255 is then rotated, rotating the beading die 254 andthe part 28 mounted thereon. Thereafter the shaft 255, die 254 and part28 are moved vertically upwardly until part 28 engages the lowerabutment surface 237 of 'bearing 231 and compresses spring pins 232until the roll portion 252 of beading roll 218 is received centrallywithin the opening 256 of die 254. Downward pressure is then applied tothe pressure collar 249 moving the pull rod 248 and the vertical rod 245downwardly, causing the horizontal rod 244 to pivot on bracket 246 androck in reference to lever block 243. This urges block 243 horizontallytoward the forward end 225 of mounting bracket lower member 221.

Horizontal movement of lever lblock 243 causes the slide 239 to slidehorizontally in reference to the mounting bracket assembly 216 towardthe forward end surface 225 of mounting bracket lower member 221. Thiscauses the beading roll 218 to move horizontally so that the outersurface 253 of roll portion 252 engages the vertical portion 31 of part28 in horizontal alignment with the recess 258 in beading die 254 (Fig.15) and causes the beading roll 218 to rotate in reference to the slide239.

The continued pressure of the control rod assembly 219 against the slide239 causes the roll portion 252 of the beading roll 218 to move part 28until vertical wall 31 -abuts a portion of the side of opening 256 withroll portion 252 thereafter forming the third operation part 43 shown inFigs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. The arcuate outer circumferential surface 253 ofroll portion 252 forms the metal outwardly within recess 258 in opening256, forming the closure engagement ridge or -bead 44 and the undercutportion 45, as shown in Fig. 15.

Thus, the third operation part 43 is formed from the second operationpart 28 by placing part 28 on a rotating die and telescoping a rotatableroll within part 28 adjacent the vertical wall portion 31. The rotatableroll is then engaged with the vertical wall 31 of part 28 with the rollroller forming an outwardly extending closure engagement ridge 44 andthereby forming an undercut portion 45.

Thereafter, pressure is released from the control rod assembly 219causing this assembly to move the slide 239 back to its originalposition and causing beading roll 218 to move to a position centrally ofthe opening 256 in beading die 254. This disengages the roll portion 252from third operation part 43. The beading die 254 is then moveddownwardly away from beading roll 218, and since the diameter of theopening 256 in beading die 254 is larger than the final outer diameterof the closure engagement ridge 44 of part 43, part 43 may be removedfrom die 254 completing the third operation.

The third operation part 43 may then be assembled on the open end of astandard can in the usual manner by a double seaming operation therebyproviding the can con- 22 struction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 having theadvantageous can top construction of the present invention.

One of the important features of the present invention is the provisionof a can top formed from relatively thin gauge metal, such as tin plateor yblack plate of the order of .012 thickness, which can top has thecenter opening and the neck portion thereof, for engagement with aremovable closure, spaced below the edge portions of the can top asufficient distance so that when a closure is secured thereon, thisclosure will also be recessed below the outer edges of the can top. Thisprovides a final can construction which may be conveniently lstacked oneabove the other and each can will only require the same vertical spacenecessary for the usual flat top permanently sealed can.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a can topconstruction which is provided with a closure engagement ridge aroundthe center opening thereof for secure engagement vby a removable andreplaceable plastic closure. Thus, even though the contents of the canis of relatively high specific gravity and even though the can isupended, the plastic closure will be securely retained thereon in anairtight manner, with no danger of the contents of the can accidentallyspilling.

A still further feature of the present invention is the provision formaking the unique can top construction of relatively thin gauge metaland of the relatively small dimensions herein stated with only threeoperations. In this Way, the can top construction is provided at aminimum of cost from a minimum amount of material for any usual sizecan.

Still another feature of the present invention is the forming of a cantop of the dimensions stated which Will provide cans which may beconveniently stacked, since the closure portion of the can top isrecessed |below the outer circumferential edges thereof, but yet thisintricately formed can top is formed from relatively thin gauge metal ofthe order of .012" thick. It is possible to form the deep recesses andthe complicated center opening coniigurations in the relatively smallspaces by shearing out the center opening of the part in the first andsecond operations during the recess forming phase of each of theseoperations, thereby removing work-hardened metal and allowing the metalto draw from the center openings and preventing thinning, splitting ortearing of the metal.

The construction and method of making metal can tops described andillustrated overcomes the difiiculties of the prior constructions statedherein; provides a top in which the can top opening with the closurepositioned thereon is recessed below the outer portions of the can topand the top edges of the sides of the can so that the cans may bestacked; provides a construction in which the can top may be providedwith a lid or closure which is easily removable by hand without the useof tools; provides a can top which retains an easily removable lid orclosure thereon in a secure and airtight manner, even though thematerial contained in the can has a relatively high specific gravity andthe can is upended with the top thereof extending downwardly; provides acan top which may be assembled with a standard relatively thin gaugemetal can by the usual seaming operation used in the can industry;provides a can top which retains an easily removable lid thereon whichlid may be easily replaced thereon after having been removed one or moretimes in a secure and air tight manner, with little care being requiredto properly replace such lid or closure; and provides a can top havingall of the many enumerated advantages but which may be made from theusual relatively thin gauge metal from which standard can tops are madein a minimum of operations.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom, because such words are used for descriptive purposesherein, and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction and methodillustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope ofthe present invention is not limited to the exact details of theconstruction and method shown.

Having now described the invention, the construction, the method,operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof, and theadvantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and usefulmethods and constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalentsthereof, obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in theappended claims.

I claim:

l. In a method of making a one-piece, light gauge, sheet metal can top;in one operation consisting of a single stroke of a metal Working die,blanking a metal disc from light gauge sheet metal stock, beginning theforming of an annular recess downward in the disc between the outer edgeand central portion of the disc by initially drawing metalinward-downward from the outer region of the disc to begin reduction ofthe outer disc diameter while the central portion resists substantiallyall outward-downward drawing of metal from said central portion, cuttinga central opening in the central portion of the disc intermediate therecess being formed and after said initial drawing, and continuing therecess formation after the central opening has been cut bysimultaneously continuing to draw metal inward-downward from the outerregion and drawing metal outward-downward from around the opening in thecentral portion of the disc in finally shaping the recess, therebyfurther reducing the outer disc diameter and at the same time increasingthe diameter of the opening in the disc.

2. In the method defined in claim l, in the same operation and the samesingle stroke of the metal working die, forming a downwardly curvedannular edge portion around the recess and forming a substantially flatcenter portion around the opening and radially within the recess whilethe recess is being formed, and locating the upper surface of the curvedannular edge portion and fiat center portion in substantially the sameplane.

3. In a method of making a one-piece, light gauge, sheet metal can tophaving a chime ange and center neck portion provided with an accessopening; first providing a light gauge sheet metal blank having adownwardly concave annular recess wall portion formed thereinintermediate the outer blank edge and a substantially flat centrallyperforated blank portion with a ring-like work hardened portion aroundthe perforated blank opening; then by a single operation consisting of asingle stroke of a metal Working die, forming the outer edge portion ofthe blank to annular chime ange shape, beginning to draw the centralfiat perforated portion and a connected inner zone of the recess wall toform a substantially cylindrical neck terminating at its upper end in asubstantially flat inturned flange by beginning to draw metal outwardand downward from the central fiat perforated portion and beginning toenlarge the perforated blank opening diameter by said drawing, beginningto reform the recess wall portion connected between the chime ange andneck, cutting a central ring of metal including the ring-like workhardened portion from around the perforated blank opening intermediatethe neck being drawn and the recess wall being reformed, and continuingthe neck formation and the recess Wall reformation after the ring ofmetal has been cut by Continuing to draw metal outward and downward fromaround the ring-cut central opening to complete the neck formation andrecess wall reformation, thereby increasing the ring-cut diameter.

4. In the method defined in claim 3, in the same operation and the samesingle stroke of the metal working die, forming a substantially fiatwall portion in the reformed recess wall having at least a portionspaced below the chime flange and extending inwardly to the neck belowthe at inturned neck ange.

5. In the method defined in claim 3, in the same operation and the samesingle stroke of the metal working die, locating the upper surface ofthe at inturned neck fiange below the plane of the chime flange as theneck is being formed.

6. In the method defined in claim 3, the further operation of formingclosure engagement means on the neck after the neck has been formed.

7. In the method defined in claim 3, the further operation of rolling aclosure engagement bead on the neck after the neck has been formed.

8. In the method defined in claim 3, the further operation of rolling anoutwardly projecting annular bead at the top of the neck and connectedwith the fiat inturned neck flange after the neck has been formed.

9. ln a method of making a one-piece, light gauge, sheet metal can tophaving a chime flange and a center neck portion provided with an accessopening; in a first operation consisting of a single stroke of a rstmetal working die, blanking a metal disc from light gauge sheet metalstock, beginning the forming of an annular recess wall downward in thedisc between the outer edge and central portion of the disc by initiallydrawing metal inward-downward from the outer region of the disc to beginreduction of the outer disc diameter while the central portion resistssubstantially all outward-downward drawing of metal from said centralportion, cutting a central opening in the central portion of the discintermediate the recess wall being formed and after said initialdrawing, and continuing the recess wall formation after the centralopening has been cut by simultaneously continuing to draw metalinward-downward from the outer region and drawing metal outward-downwardfrom around the opening in the central portion of the disc in finallyshaping the recess wall, thereby further reducing the outer discdiameter and at the same time increasing the diameter of the opening inthe disc to provide a formed blank having a ring-like work hardenedportion around the central opening; then in a second operationconsisting of a single stroke of a second metal working die, forming theouter edge portion of the formed blank to annular chime flange shape,beginning to draw the central portion of the blank around the openingand a connected inner zone of the recess wall to form a substnntiallycylindrical neck terminating at its upper end in a substantially fiatinturned fiange by beginning to draw metal outward and downward from thecentral portion of the disc and beginning to enlarge the central openingdiameter by said drawing, beginning to reform the recess wall portionconnected between the chime flange and neck, cutting a central ring ofmetal including the ring-like work hardened portion from around theopening in the central portion of the formed blank intermediate the neckbeing drawn and the recess Wall being reformed, and continuing the neckformation and recess wall reformation after the ring of metal has beencut by continuing to draw metal outward and downward from around thering-cut central opening to complete the neck formation and recess wallreformation, thereby increasing the ring-cut opening diameter.

l0. In the method defined in claim 9, in the same first operation andsame single stroke of the first metal working die, forming a downwardlycurved annular edge portion around the recess wall and forming asubstantially at center portion around the opening and radially withinthe recess wall while the recess wall is being formed in the disc, andlocating the upper surfaces of the curved annular edge portion and fiatcenter portion in substantially the same piane.

ll. In the method defined in claim 9, in the same second operation andsame single stroke of the second metal working die, forming asubstantially flat wall portion in the reformed recess wall spaced belowthe fiat inturned neck flange.

assose 12. In the method defined in claim 9, in the same secondoperation and same single stroke of the second metal working die,locating the upper surface of the at inturned neck ange below the planeof the chime flange as the neck is being formed.

13. In the method defined in claim 9, the third operation of rolling aclosure engagement bead on the neck after the neck has been formed.

14. In a method of making a one-piece, light gauge, sheet metal can tophaving a chime ange and a center neck portion provided with an accessopening located below the top of the chime flange; in a rst operationconsisting of a single stroke of a first metal working die, blanking ametal disc from light gauge sheet metal stock, beginning the forming ofan annular recess wall downward in the disc between the outer edge andcentral portion of the disc by initially drawing metal inwarddownwardfrom the outer region of the disc to begin reduction of the outer discdiameter while the central portion resists substantially alloutward-downward drawing of metal from said central portion, cutting acentral opening in the central portion of the disc intermediate therecess wall being formed and after said initial drawing, and continuingthe recess wall formation after the central opening has been cut bysimultaneously continuing to draw metal inward-downward from the outerregion and drawing metal outward-downward from around the opening in thecentral portion of the disc in finally shaping the recess wall, therebyfurther reducing the outer disc diameter and at the same time increasingthe diameter of the central opening in the disc and forming a ring-likework hardened portion around said central opening, forming a downwardlycurved angular edge portion around the recess wall and forming asubstantially at center portion around the opening and radially withinthe recess wall while the recess wall is being formed, and locating theupper surfaces of the curved annular edge portion and at center portionin substantially the same plane to provide a formed blank; then in asecond operation consisting of a single stroke of a second metal workingdie, forming the outer curved annular edge portion of the formed blankto annular chime ange shape, beginning to draw the central ilat portionof the blank aroundv the opening and a connected inner zone of therecess wall to form a substantially cylindrical neck terminating at itsupper end in a substantially flat inturned ange located below the planeof the chime flange by beginning to draw metal outward and downward fromthe central portion of the disc and beginning to enlarge the centralopening diameter by said drawing, beginning to reform the recess wallportion connected between the chime ange and neck with a substantiallyflat Wall portion spaced below and substantially parallel to the flatinturned neck ange, cutting a central ring of metal including thering-like work hardened portion from around the blank opening in the atcentral portion of the formed blank intermediate the neck being drawnand the recess wall being reformed, and continuing the neck formationand recess wall reformation after the ring of metal has been cut 'bycontinuing to draw metal outward and downward from around the ring-cutcentral opening to complete the neck formation and recess wallreformation, thereby increasing the ring-cut opening diameter; and thenin a third operation, rolling a closure engagement bead on the neckafter the neck has been formed.

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